Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says he hopes Kieran Tierney will do everything he can to return quickly from knee surgery, but can't say when he thinks he will make his return.
The 24-year-old from Muirhouse revealed that his operation went well, and it will be hoped by both fans of Arsenal and Scotland that Tierney can return before the end of this season.
Arsenal are bidding for a European place in the Premier League, while Scotland hope to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.
But Arteta couldn't be drawn on whether or not he thinks that will happen.
He said: "I don't know, he's just had surgery yesterday so it's very early to understand how everything is going to develop.
"If he's going to be out the period we estimate or not, what condition he'll be after that period - it's too soon to say something like that.
"I think the player has to do the maximum he can to be in the best possible condition as quickly as possible.
"I'm sure Kieran will do that and once he's there we'll see if he's able to compete under what kind of risk or not. But I'm sure he will do that."
Tierney was injured while on Scotland duty in friendlies over Poland and Austria, with the former Celtic ace scoring in the first game, but Arteta says these things happen.
He added: "Our responsibility is to look after them (players) when they're here.
"Once they go on international duty in this case it's the job and responsibility of Steve Clarke to decide a team he believes is the best to win the games.
"We have to try and have good communication with national teams. We have, but these things happen."
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